The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was developed by the United States government in conjunction with governments of countries around the world to serve as a forum for educational and cultural exchange.  The program provides opportunities for thousands of students, scholars, and others to spend time in foreign countries learning skills and sharing their knowledge and culture. 

In the United States, the Exchange Visitor program is presently monitored by the Department of State.  Organizations--such as the University of California, Davis--have been designated by the Department of State  as sponsoring institutions for the J-1 Exchange Visitor program.  Foreign nationals who participate in this program in the United States receive J-1 status, which classifies them as members of this exchange program. The official program description of the UCD Exchange Visitor Program is:

A  program to provide study, teaching, research, observation, consultation, sharing of skills, cross-cultural activities, or a combination thereof conducted by UCD and institutes and organizations with which it is affiliated for students, professors, researchers, short-term scholars, and specialists.

It is each individual scholar's responsibility to maintain his or her lawful status while in the United States.  The seven elements below form a quick reference to maintaining your lawful status:

1. MAINTAIN REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

J scholars are required to have the following documents:

• Valid DS-2019
• Valid passport.  It is each individual's responsibility to extend it through his/her embassy before it expires.
• I-94 marked D/S

2. DURATION OF STATUS

J-1 Exchange Visitors and dependents are admitted to the United States for "duration of status" (D/S). The notation D/S on the Form I-94 means that the individual may remain in the U.S. for the activity and length of time indicated on the Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, plus 30 days in which to prepare for departure. J-1 professors and research scholars must have an unexpired Form DS-2019 at all times during their program activity.

3. ENGAGED IN APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES

J Exchange Visitors in the Professor and Researcher category are only authorized to teach or perform research.  The scholar's DS-2019 is site specific, and often only permits teaching and research at UC Davis.

4. EMPLOYMENT ONLY WITH AUTHORIZATION

A J-1 professor or research scholar may receive compensation from the sponsor or the sponsor's designee for employment when such activities are a part of his/her exchange visitor program.

Professors and research scholars may participate for payment in occasional lectures or short term consultations (for payment as an independent contractor) if the proposed activity: 

1. is directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor's program, 
2. is incidental to the exchange visitor's primary program activities, 
3. would not delay the completion date of his/her program. 

To obtain authorization for such employment or for an occasional lecture or short-term consultation, the scholar should provide to SISS the following: 
 

• a letter from the proposed employer describing the terms and conditions of the offer, including the duration, number of hours, field or subject, amount of compensation, and a statement of understanding that the scholar must act as an "independent contractor" in the case of an occasional lecture or short-term consultation. 
• a letter from his/her department chair or supervisor attesting to items 1-3 above, recommending the activity, and explaining how it would enhance the exchange visitor's program.

  If the proposed activity meets the criteria, SISS will provide written authorization to engage in the specified additional activity.

5. CARRY HEALTH INSURANCE

Every J-1 and J-2 exchange visitor must have health insurance that meets the minimum requirements.

6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPENDENTS

The J-1 scholar is also responsible to ensure that J-2 dependents maintain their lawful status while in the United States.

7. CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION

SISS is to be notified of any change of address or telephone number.   Please email Angela Hamilton at chhamilton@ucdavis.edu.  In addition, scholars subject to Special Registration have the responsibility to directly file the AR-11SR form with immigration authorities within 10 days.

EXTENSION OF PROGRAM

 

Professors and research scholars may be considered for program extensions to a total of three years. Extensions beyond the three year maximum may be possible in exceptional situations. J-1 professors and research scholars with the D/S notation on the Form I-94 may apply to their sponsor for program extension prior to the date on the form DS-2019.  More...

TRANSFER OF PROGRAM

J-1 scholars may transfer from one program sponsor to another if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the objective for which they were admitted in J-1 status.  Additionally, the J-1 scholar must remain within the same participant category, such as J-1 Research Scholar/Professor, J-1 Short-Term Scholar, or J-1 Specialist.

J-1 scholars who wish to transfer to the UC Davis J-1 Exchange Visitor Program should discuss their plans with scholar advisors of both programs.  SISS will need to verify the J-1 scholar's non-immigrant status and eligibility for the participant category for which the DS-2019 is being issued.  To begin the process, SISS must receive a new request for a Transfer DS-2019 before the expiration date on the current DS-2019, and before the J-1 scholar starts employment with UC Davis Department.

J-1 scholars who wish to transfer "out" to other J-1 program need to submit a Departure Checklist to SISS in advance.

TWO YEAR HOME COUNTRY RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT 

At the conclusion of the J-1 program, individuals who are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement must return to their country of permanent residence for at least two years before re-entering the U.S. or applying for change of status to that of an immigrant or temporary worker.  More...

DEPENDENT'S EMPLOYMENT

 

J-2 dependents may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  for permission to accept employment if such employment is needed for the support of the dependent(s), but not for the support of the J-1.  More...

TRAVEL 

Necessary documents for J-1 and J-2 travel outside the U.S. and reentry to this country include a valid passport, valid J-1 or J-2 visa stamp, and an unexpired Form DS-2019 with updated sponsor's signature. For travel to Canada or Mexico, scholars from most countries must have an original, valid Form I-94 but it may not be necessary to extend an expired U.S. visa.